The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has disassociated itself from the planned nationwide protest dubbed Take-It-Back, cautioning that such demonstrations could spark unrest and destabilise the country.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, NYCN President Isah Abubakar acknowledged the legitimate frustrations felt by many young Nigerians but stressed the need for restraint and constructive dialogue instead of street protests.
“We are deeply concerned about the rising tension across various regions and the increasingly fragile socio-political climate,” the statement read. “As an organisation committed to youth empowerment, we understand the grievances driving these calls for protest. However, we urge calm and peaceful engagement over actions that may worsen the situation.”
Abubakar recalled the aftermath of the EndSARS protest, where peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in widespread violence, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of lives. He warned that similar outcomes could emerge if protests are held in the current climate.
The council instead called for national unity and constructive engagement with relevant authorities to address grievances and work toward long-term solutions.
